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Senior Living Development LLC of Fairfield applied to the Wilton Land Use Commission last week for approval for the three-story building at the corner of Danbury Road/Route 7 and Orem’s Lane in south Wilton.
“This is a place where our parents and grandparents can age gracefully with needed assistance," said Mark De Pecol, principal with Senior Living Development.
The 75,972-square-foot building would feature assisted living and memory care for seniors, including fine dining, bistro, salon, fitness and many activity areas. The community would be set on a landscaped 3.8-acre site with gardens, walking paths and sitting areas.
Particular attention has been paid to buffering the Orem’s Lane neighborhood with dense landscaping, developers said.
“The neighbors are always our concern when planning an new community. We encourage interaction so they are comfortable with the project,” said De Pecol.
The project could be approved this summer with construction starting in the fall, he said.
Senior Living Development successfully got the regulations changed in 2016 to allow a higher density for this use at the site.
The proposed project meets all zoning requirements under the Special Permit regulations, including a 10 percent affordable component.
There are no wetlands on the site and the improvements would help area flooding by reducing water runoff by 60 percent, developers said.
The building’s architecture would feature elements common to New England, using elements of stonework, colors and forms to break down the scale of the structure to relate to its residential surroundings.
“The assisted living community will be an integral part of the greater community and should reflect that in the architecture. This is a peaceful, tranquil place and its graceful architecture and landscaping reflects that style,” says De Pecol.
The project would generate 100 to 150 construction jobs, 60 to 70 full-time jobs and substantial tax revenue to the town with minimal impact on services.
“Instead of possibly being secluded in their home or apartment, the residents can interact with others, enjoy fine dining and activities and get the services they need such as medication delivery, housekeeping, and personal services,“ according to De Pecol.
A traffic report has been completed that shows a nominal impact from the project because most of the residents would not drive.
Additionally, personnel shifts will be staggered to avoid rush hours, developers said. The project will not have skilled nursing, and ambulance visits typically average four to six per month.
Senior Living Development LLC has received approvals for four assisted living facilities in the past three years and has three more in the approval process.
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